Wegovy is dispensed as a pre-filled injectable pen that you use once a week at home. In the United States, pharmacies typically dispense one carton containing four single-dose pens, which covers a 28-day supply (one injection per week). Each pen comes pre-loaded with a fixed dose of semaglutide, so there’s no measuring or mixing involved.
What You Get From the Pharmacy
A standard Wegovy prescription is filled as one carton every 28 days. Each carton holds four single-dose pen injectors. The pen you receive depends on where you are in the dosing schedule: early cartons contain lower-dose pens, and later cartons contain higher-dose pens as your body adjusts to the medication.
In the U.S., each pen is designed for a single use. You inject once, then dispose of the pen. In the UK, a different version is available: a multi-dose FlexTouch pen that contains four doses per pen. With that version, you use the same pen for four weekly injections before discarding it, storing it in the fridge with the needle removed between uses.
The Dose Escalation Schedule
Wegovy isn’t dispensed at full strength right away. You follow a gradual titration schedule over 16 weeks to reduce the likelihood of nausea and other gastrointestinal side effects. That means your pharmacy will dispense a different strength pen at each stage:
- Weeks 1 through 4: 0.25 mg once weekly
- Weeks 5 through 8: 0.5 mg once weekly
- Weeks 9 through 12: 1 mg once weekly
- Weeks 13 through 16: 1.7 mg once weekly
- Week 17 onward: 2.4 mg once weekly (the maintenance dose)
Each step lasts four weeks, which lines up neatly with one carton of four pens. Your prescriber will typically write the prescription so that the pharmacy dispenses the correct strength for each phase. Some adults may stay at 1.7 mg for maintenance if 2.4 mg isn’t tolerated.
How the Pen Works
The single-dose pen requires no priming or air-bubble checks. The needle is not pre-attached. You’ll need compatible pen needles (NovoFine Plus or similar disposable needles up to 8 mm in length), which are sometimes included with the prescription or purchased separately depending on your pharmacy.
To inject, you attach the needle, select your injection site, and press the pen firmly against your skin. Hold it in place until the yellow bar in the viewing window stops moving, which takes about 5 to 10 seconds. That’s the full dose. You then remove the pen and dispose of it.
Where to Inject
Wegovy goes under the skin (subcutaneously), not into a muscle or vein. Three areas work well:
- Lower stomach: The easiest spot to see and reach. Stay at least 2 inches away from your belly button.
- Front of the upper thigh: A good option if you prefer sitting down, since the thigh provides a firmer surface.
- Upper arm: Works well for rotation, though it can be hard to reach on your own. A caregiver can help.
You can use the same general area each week, but vary the exact spot where the needle enters. Rotating within the area helps prevent skin irritation or the formation of hard lumps. Avoid injecting into skin that’s scarred, bruised, red, or marked by stretch marks.
Storage Requirements
Wegovy pens should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C), ideally in the original carton. If you need to carry a pen with you or don’t have fridge access, it can stay at room temperature (up to 86°F / 30°C) for a maximum of 28 days. After 28 days out of the fridge, or if the pen has been exposed to temperatures above 86°F, it must be discarded even if unused.
Do not freeze Wegovy pens. Keep them away from direct heat and light.
Disposing of Used Pens
After each injection, the used pen and needle go into a sharps disposal container right away. These are rigid, puncture-resistant containers you can buy at most pharmacies. Fill the container no more than three-quarters full, then dispose of it according to your local guidelines. Options vary by area but commonly include drop-off at pharmacies, hospitals, or fire stations, as well as mail-back programs and special waste pickup services. Your local health department or trash service can point you to the right option.